Chapter 25: Chapter 23 - Repayment and Request (Asking for Recommendations and Collection!)_1 November 2nd. Noon. Baiwei Restaurant. Inside Qingfeng Box. In the box sat three people, Tang Qing, Zhang Dongqing, and Zheng Xiu, whom they had met last time. The three didn’t sit next to each other. Zhang Dongqing and Zheng Xiu sat in the leading seats, and Tang Qing was sitting at the door facing them. After all, the theme of the dinner was paying back the money, so they needed to have a negotiation appearance. Tang Qing noticed. Some melancholy was gone from Zhang Dongqing’s eyebrows. Apparently, he’s been doing well in business recently. Zheng Xiu was still in casual clothes. Zheng Xiu graduated from the Party School last weekend. As for his new position, from the reliable news, he was likely to be appointed as the director of the Public Security in Qing Shui County, his hometown county town. A position of full section level. One level higher than his uncle. In his previous life. He knew the names of the officials in his hometown county town. But he didn’t have any impressions of the lower-level leaders. However, Zheng Xiu’s promotion speed was much faster than his uncle’s, either he was very capable, or his father was very supportive. Otherwise, it was due to his wife’s support. At first. When he heard that the other side was transferred to his hometown county, Tang Qing couldn’t help but feel nervous. But it was only a moment before he calmed down. Firstly, he didn’t commit a crime. Secondly, they were friends. Thirdly, he had helped Zhang Dongqing. In terms of both reason and emotion, they wouldn’t harm him. There is nothing to fear. Zhang Dongqing opened a bottle of beer. He poured a cup for Zheng Xiu and himself, and said, "You have class this afternoon, so don’t drink any alcohol, just have a beverage. We also have something to do this afternoon, so we’ll just have some beer." "Alright, I never planned on drinking anyway." Tang Qing shook the sour plum soup in his hand and smiled. The sour plum soup was personally made by Li Jianguo. It was sour and sweet and very delicious. It had become a signature drink in the store. Sold by the pot, at thirty yuan per pot, it was quite expensive considering the size of the pot. They didn’t start eating right away. Of course, they had to attend to business before the meal. "This is three hundred thousand and three thousand, you can count it." Zhang Dongqing passed over a black handbag he brought. He didn’t just take a bag and fill it with hundreds of thousands of yuan like Tang Qing did. "No need to count it. I trust Uncle Zhang’s character. Besides, there’s a police uncle here, you wouldn’t dare give me counterfeit money, would you? Ha-ha." Tang Qing laughed and placed the handbag next to him. He didn’t believe Zhang Dongqing would give him counterfeit money. Moreover. Even if Zhang Dongqing didn’t pay him back. The system wouldn’t punish him, let alone counterfeit money. As long as the system recommends a client for a loan, he has no worries. He just needs to complete this contract. Of course, he isn’t going to tell the other party that he doesn’t need to be repaid or that he can indefinitely delay payment. Otherwise, not to mention the system, many people wouldn’t let him off either. Tang Qing handed over the receipt from his pocket. Seeing the receipt he wrote last time, Zhang Dongqing was stunned. He didn’t expect Tang Qing to hand over the receipt without even looking at it. This trust touched Zhang Dongqing a bit. "Ha-ha, you are bold and insightful." Zhang Dongqing praised Tang Qing greatly. "Uncle Zhang overpraises me. I trust Uncle Zhang’s character. Just as the reason why I lent you the money, it’s just a small amount of money. We are going to be big businessmen in the future. A few hundred thousand, it’s really nothing." Tang Qing modestly replied. Yet after a second, he started to brag again. However, evidently. The bragging was very timely. "You can look for me if there’s anything in the future. I might not be able to do big things, but isn’t there Uncle Zheng? Right, Old Zheng." Zhang Dongqing declared confidently, and then pulled Zheng Xiu into the conversation. "I can’t help. Tang Qing’s uncle is also the deputy director of Chengnan Police Station. I’m far away in the mountains, how can I take care of him? Ha-ha." Zheng Xiu responded with a laugh. Of course. He had said this to Zhang Dongqing before. However, he wanted to see how Tang Qing would react knowing that he had investigated him and if he could glean anything from this. He also wanted to test Tang Qing. "Really? Your uncle is the deputy director?" Zhang Dongqing quickly understood his comrade’s meaning. "Yes, but don’t tell my uncle about these things. I don’t want to worry him. As for the origin of the money, it’s completely legal." When Tang Qing spoke, he felt a tremor within. It was like his secret had been peeped at. He immediately came up with a clever response. Having lived two lives, he could tell that the discussion between the two could imply more. After all, if it wasn’t for Zhang Dongqing’s instigation, why would Zheng Xiu go out of his way to investigate his family background? Since Zhang Dongqing knew and intentionally asked him, obviously he was trying to probe his bottom line. He even began to wonder. Perhaps Zheng Xiu had deliberately leaked the possibility of his transfer to Qing Shui County as a way to pressure him psychologically. After all, if it was not something Zheng Xiu himself was sure about, then he would not have thrown it around so recklessly. It was a convoluted web of schemes. Tang Qing found himself amazed at how there was no such thing as a simple character in the political setting, especially among the police force. They were all masters of psychology. Zhang Dongqing and Zheng Xiu exchanged a glance and nodded slightly. They didn’t probe further. It was clear to them that Tang Qing was not interested in the topic, but they were not surprised. "Of course, there’s no evidence to suggest that your money is ill-gotten, and I don’t really have any interest in meddling. I just hope that you continue acting according to your own principles, never crossing the line, and do not bring shame to your uncle," Zheng Xiu stated seriously. He genuinely did not care about this. It wasn’t a significant issue. "Don’t worry, I won’t bring shame to my uncle and family," Tang Qing also answered earnestly. "Haha! Let’s drink to that! Let’s not talk about work-related matters. I hope we have the opportunity to cooperate again in the future," Zhang Dongqing quickly changed the subject. After all, it’s none of his business. "Alright, cheers!" Tang Qing raised his sour plum soup. During the meal. Zhang Dongqing was unusually enthusiastic towards Tang Qing. Constantly dishing him food. Tang Qing initially thought it was an apology for their earlier probe. But after seeing Zhang’s continual enthusiasm and the way he seemed hesitant to say something, Tang Qing couldn’t help but ask. "Uncle Zhang, do you have something to discuss with me?" "To be honest, your Uncle Zhang does need a favor today," Zhang Dongqing praised Tang Qing’s perceptiveness. This surprised Tang Qing as he didn’t know what favor a student like him could do for Zhang Dongqing. Could it involve money again? After a brief consideration, Tang Qing briefly put down his chopsticks and calmly said: "Uncle Zhang, tell me about this favor. If I can help, I will. But if it’s too difficult or beyond my capabilities, I hope you won’t take it to heart." Zhang Dongqing paused for a moment to frame his words. "To be frank, a friend of mine who runs a garment factory needs cash flow at the moment. He mainly manufactures OEM clothes and needs the money to pay off his debts to his downstream suppliers. As long as we get through the end of the month, the payout from his upstream brand companies will be enough to cover the payment." "He borrowed money from me a few days ago. Since I had a big order and was currently investing in machinery and staff expansion, my liquid assets weren’t that much. I mentioned your loan conditions were low, fast, and came with few additional terms inadvertently." "So I wondered if you could help my friend out. I trust him - he’s been a close friend of mine for many years. And I wouldn’t ask you for help if it weren’t for him. Besides, I’ll act as the guarantor for him. If he fails to pay back the money, I’ll cover for him." Done talking, Zhang Dongqing looked at Tang Qing, waiting for his response. Tang Qing thought this was a relatively simple issue. It was just a matter of how much was to be borrowed. "How much does he want to borrow?" Tang Qing asked. "Four hundred thousand yuan," replied Zhang Dongqing. Tang Qing fell into thought. At the moment, he was penniless. The stark zero balance in his account was a cruel irony. However, should the system upgrade be completed and rewards be received, along with the remaining loan balance, he should be able to make up four hundred thousand. As for the system task he’d viewed, a reserve of three hundred thousand would be sufficient. If it’s not enough. He could only overdraft his personal loan a bit more. After thinking for a while. Tang Qing made up his mind. "No problem. You’ll be hearing from me by noon, at the latest the day after tomorrow. We’ll finish in cash," He was just five points away from leveling up, so he planned to complete the task as soon as possible tomorrow. Level up. As for the customers recommended by the system, he planned to reach out as soon as school got out today and arrange a meeting for tomorrow noon. If all went well, he could complete the loan for Zhang Dongqing’s friend by tomorrow night. Seeing Tang Qing agreed, Zhang Dongqing laughed, "Haha, good. On behalf of my friend, I want to thank you in advance. About the contract... " Finishing his sentence, he turned to Tang Qing. "I will prepare it." Afterwards, with a burden lifted off their shoulders, the group enjoyed the rest of the meal. However, Tang Qing needed to sort out the customer recommended by the system soon and level up, or everything else would be stuck in standstill. The lunch only ended around half-past one. Zhang Dongqing paid the bill, while Tang Qing did not put up a fight. Both of them knew who should pick the bill up in a business matter. It should never be overstepped; it would otherwise make everyone uncomfortable.